GRWG Microwave Sub-Group Web Meeting 2016-01-06

GSICS Web Meeting on Microwave Standards and Meeting Planning

Agenda

1. Introduction, Review of any ongoing/action items - Ralph Ferraro
2. Outcome of the GSICS Users Workshop as it pertains to MW sub group - Tim Hewison
3. Science Updates

• Microwave Calibration Standards- David Walker (NIST)
• GPM X-Cal progress and upcoming Plans - Wes Berg (CSU) and X-Cal Chairman (presented by Rachel Kroodsma)

4.- Pathforward -Manik Bali, Ralph Ferraro

5. Participation/Preparation for GRDW/GDWG annual meeting and focus topics for 2016- All

6. Wrap Up, Next Meeting, etc.

Attendees

Guest Chair: Ralph Ferraro (NOAA)

EUMETSAT: Tim Hewison, Vinia Mattioli, Christophe Accadia

Indian Institute of Sciences: Ram Ratan

JAXA: Misako Kachi

JMA: Masaya Takahashi, Arata Okuyama

KMA: Dohyeong Kim

NASA: Ed Kim, Rachel Kroodsma

NIST: Dave Walker

NOAA: Ralph Ferraro, Manik Bali, Cheng-Zhi Zou, Larry Flynn, Jun Park, Wenze Yang

Summary

Old Actions (status)

• Engage GPM X-Cal Group (see Agenda item 3) (continuing)
• Continue to move forward on GSICS MW products (see Agenda item 4) (continuing)
• Formalize joint CEOS and GSICIS MW activities - Cheng Zhi reported that there will be a joint meeting prior to IGARSS in Beijing in July. He mentioned that Xiaolong will be unveiling a web page soon about the meeting (continuing)

General Agenda Items

• Tim provided a nice summary of the GSICS User's Workshop and the implications for the MW Subgroup. A few key points include:
  • User's want calibration updates, however, we must provide instructions on how best to apply them
  • GSICIS is mostly concerned with radiometric corrections, however, MW also requires geolocation corrections, is this more of a CEOS endeavor?
  • GCC was tasked to develop strawman user requirements, MW subgroup should be active in helping with this
  • The survey provided insightful information regarding the primary uses and requirements for MW products (it was noted that all areas are still important)
• Dave Walker gave an excellent update regarding NIST microwave calibration standards; details can be found in his slides. A few key points include:
  • NIST now has a MW calibration reference that will cover a very broad range of MW frequencies and reduce uncertainties down to ~0.1 K
  • They hope to use this to calibrate the ATMS sensor on JPSS-2
• Rachel presented slides developed by Wes Berg, new chair of the GPM X-Cal. Some highlights include:
  • GMI is performing exceptionally well, so it will continue to serve as the calibration standard for the GPM constellation
  • Final intercalibration for the constellation is a hybrid approach merging together several independent calibration data points from within X-Cal
  • X-Cal correction tables are available for use by the community, various sensors seem to agree better (worse) with GMI.
  • Monitoring page - http://rain.atmos.colostate.edu/XCAL
• Manik led a discussion on a path forward on GSICS MW products.These will form the basis for further discussion within the group and also at a splinter session at the Annual Meeting of the GRWG/GDWG in March in Japan. Details are within his slides (and also see action below).

Outcome

New Actions:

• Poll group for potential participation (in person, remote) and topics to be discussed at GRWG/GDWG annual meeting (Ralph)
• Organize next meeting in the April time frame (Ralph)

• MW-SubGroup-06Jan2016.pdf: Ferraro slides

• XCAL_Plans.pptx: Berg/Kroodsma Slides

• Bali MW Product Slides

• MicrowaveRSupdateGSICS6Jan16.pdf: Walker Slides